How the launch of Apple Mac 30 years ago meant 1984 wasn't like '1984'

"I've always looked at each commercial as a film" explained director Ridley Scott during an interview about his work on the original Apple Mac launch advert.

The commercial is indeed cinematic, aesthetically inspired by Alexander Korda's 1936 film Things to Come, and with overtones of an Orwellian nightmare post-1984.

Automaton skinheads listen as though in a trance to a booming, authoritarian voice on a screen, but the scene is shattered by a hammer-wielding athlete, slamming the weapon into the Big Brother-like face.

The advert ends with a message in the style of closing credits: "On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you'll see why 1984 won't be like "1984."